Network Security Engineer
Salary

A sizeable majority of Network Security Engineers in the United States are men. In this role, average pay is around $82K annually. Lower pay rates hover around $51K, and the higher rates verge on $120K per year. Cash earnings for Network Security Engineers — including $14K in bonuses and $10K in profit sharing proceeds near the top of the pay scale — generally stretch from $51K to $120K depending on individual performance. Experience level is the biggest factor affecting pay for this group, followed by geography. Work is enjoyable for Network Security Engineers, who typically claim high levels of job satisfaction. Nearly all enjoy medical while most get dental coverage. Vision coverage is also available to a strong majority. Respondents to the PayScale salary survey provided the data for this report.

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

Job Description for Network Security Engineer

A network security engineer is an essential part of any large (and many mid-sized) business' overall technology team. A network security engineer is involved in the provisioning, deployment, configuration, and administration of many different pieces of network- and security-related hardware and software. These include firewalls, routers, switches, various network monitoring tools, and VPNs (virtual private networks). These engineers also regularly perform network-based security risk assessments, and they occasionally help design new infrastructure solutions as a company expands or replaces its system architecture.

There are many certifications available to network security engineers, and employers generally desire certifications in the hardware used for the company's technology infrastructure. However, there are some hardware-independent certifications, such as RSA and CISSP, that help ensure that a potential network security engineer is qualified. As is often true in the technology space, several years' experience is often accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree.

While most network security engineers work from a single location, there are also some positions requiring 50 percent or more time traveling; these positions are generally with companies that implement third-party security solutions for other companies. The mental demands of this job generally outweigh the physical demands, and work is often completed in climate-controlled environments. However, jobs requiring significant travel, or engineers in smaller firms that take a more hands-on role (e.g., helping to wire in new locations or equipment) may include a notable amount of physically demanding tasks as well.

Network Security Engineer Tasks

Monitor and log security concerns and incidents, and generate reports and track performance.

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Popular Skills for Network Security Engineer

This chart shows the most popular skills for this job and what effect each skill has on pay.

Survey participants wield an impressively varied skill set on the job. Most notably, skills in Microsoft Office, Network Support, Checkpoint, and Network Architecture / Design are correlated to pay that is above average, with boosts between 12 percent and 18 percent. Those who learned IT Security & Infrastructure also tend to know Network Security Management and Security Intrusion Detection. Most people familiar with Cisco Networking also know Switches & Firewall Installation and Administration and Network Security Management.

Pay by Experience Level for Network Security Engineer

Median of all compensation (including tips, bonus, and overtime) by years of experience.

For Network Security Engineers, experience does not seem to be a major factor in determining pay. Those in the early stages of their career can expect to make around $69K; however, individuals with five to 10 years of experience bring in $87K on average — a distinctly larger sum. After working for 10 to 20 years, Network Security Engineers make a median salary of $97K. Veterans who have surpassed the 20-year mark may make only slightly more than those who are navigating the mid-career stage; the more senior group reports median earnings of around $103K.

Pay Difference by Location

Surpassing the national average by 24 percent, Network Security Engineers in Boston receive some of the highest pay in the country. Network Security Engineers can also look forward to large paychecks in cities like Portland (+17 percent), New York (+16 percent), Washington (+10 percent), and San Antonio (+7 percent). Raleigh is the lowest-paying area, 9 percent south of the national average. Employers pay around 6 percent less in Atlanta and 5 percent less in Chicago, below-median salaries for those in this field.